Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 4 Chapter 68 Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 18:43:05 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: To sum up... On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 02:24:16 -0700 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00005964 > On Tue, 22 Sep 1998 19:15:38 > Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005949 > >>> /Stranger. Mandy, Raver, there is some demon on the loose shouting >>> for an 'Eternal Champion'. He might be headed your way as I >>> haven't seen him down here./ "Damn! Possibly literally." >>> / Also, if either of you wish a ride down, there are likely >>> shuttles available, or faster transport should you desire an >>> immediate evacuation here. Of course, being here, I would rather >>> be back in Callahans, but then, there are very few who wouldn't./ Stranger finished off the last couple of 'Anniversary Thugs', rendering the last one unconscious with the aid of handy wall. /Maybe, but I have a bad feeling.../ >> They probably respond that they're quite busy, as Mournblade >> appears, looks at Stranger, smiles at him with a sickening grin, >> and says, "Hello, Elric." "Hello." Stranger regarded the new arrival coldly. > [Quiet,] Raver echoed her earlier admonition as she took over, > triggering the familiar metamorphosis. /Roland -- our thanks for the > suit, but you do not need another distraction. I have enough > protection for us now./ > [This Mournblade is a demon.] With that, armor writhed into > place and the huge sword appeared in their gauntleted fist. They > slid back to a better vantage point, silently caping their wings. "So what now Mournblade?" Stranger stared at the demon, his own two swords held casually in his hands, apparently calm, but those with eyes to see would percieve his mind reaching out, searching for something, maybe even calling something to him. Stranger =========================== Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 21:59:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Day of the Destroyer On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 00:48:29 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00005965 > On Mon, 21 Sep 1998 00:56:51 Morgan and/or Roland Said > > "I owe you nothing, Destroyer," the Gaunt Man intones. "The > Maelstrom Bridge can use your soul as easily as a stormer's." > "Heh. The forces of Light will consider you the greater threat. > Do as you will, 'Torg.' The Tower is MINE!" And the Nephandi burst > forth with a howl torn from the Abyss itself... > Roland, Morgan, Byron, and Shard (and our sib, if he wants to > remember Atlantis-9) all say, at the same time, in the same tone: > "oh bloody hell..." Actually, everybody's lovable Lensdragon currently retains _no_ memories of his time as Nyxator but he'll be perfectly willing to chime out from whatever predicament he currently has gotten himself into with an utterance of, "Oh boy (tm)." as he lifts his head up and notices "Malace's" arrival. =========================== Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 22:51:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Day of the Destroyer On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 01:45:49 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00005966 In a message dated 9/23/98 9:59:53 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Dhyrclhanc writes: >> On Mon, 21 Sep 1998 00:56:51 Morgan and/or Roland Said >> >> Roland, Morgan, Byron, and Shard (and our sib, if he wants to >> remember Atlantis-9) all say, at the same time, in the same tone: >> "oh bloody hell..." (OOC: Please retcon my post where Aurora identifies Malice as the Earth 9 incarnation of the Great Adversary. I have been informed that I wasn't quite accurate. I had implied (incorrectly) from some posts of Roland's, that Malice and the Earth 9 incarnation were one and the same. I erred.) /Roland you will need your strength to fight Malice. Do you wish me to heal your body, mind, and or halo,/ Aurora asks? *Dragon's Bane, the Crawler is becoming a pest. Implement plan "Alpha and Omega" on him, please.* ^Z'on'dar, if you can, it would be helpful if you would release your time lock, so that those of us with time twisting abilities can use them, to defend you and the tower^ she continues. =========================== Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 04:40:23 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: To Best Bester On Wed, 23 Sep 1998 19:33:53 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00005967 > On Wed, 23 Sep 1998 08:08:40 > Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005961 > >>On Wed, 23 Sep 1998 01:21:18 -0500 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005958 >> >>/Was just contemplating Bester and Jha'Dur's future. If you want >>Bester, by all means, have him./ Mike sends, then sending a couple >>good sized lightning bolts at Jha'Dur, followed by a few shots at >>the Nephandi, unusual energy beams that look like glittering >>sunlight, cover their puncture woulds with silver, leave steam >>burns, and smell like garlic. /A little sunlight beam, with holy >>water, silver and garlic molecules suspended within. Should handle >>just about anything that doesn't require a beheading./ > > Morgan watches this attack with interest. /Hey, my magicks out to be > able to do something pretty close to that! Especially if I add using > my Power Ring. Thanks for the idea, Mike. / Nemo notices it too. /Ah. Sunlight. Of course./ The Velet Glove creates some *huge* sheets of silver (of course) foil, positioned to give not merely continous sunlight on the battle site, but to eliminate as many shadows as possible. /Would anyone like some backpack spraying units? They're loaded with a suspension of silver and garlic in holy water. And some DMSO to encourage absorption thru whatever passes for skin. And a touch of MSG so that if nothing else affects them, they'll have killer headaches. :-)/ If anyone accepts the offer they'll get a back mounted tank much like is used for spraying weeds or in fighting brushfires. /I also have them in liquid nitrogen or hydrofluoric acid. Sorry, no alkahest./ =========================== Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 09:39:14 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: The Dangers of Reentry (Long!) On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 12:02:45 -0400 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00005968 > On Sun, 20 Sep '98 Morgan and/or Roland Said > >>Dhyrclhanc Said >> >>The remaining fragments of Dhyrclhanc's possesed form disentigrate >>and Dhyrclhanc's true self, garbed in the familiar Rangers' Longcoat >>and green and black waistcote, expands out to his normal 21' tall, >>63' wingspaned, size. The First-Ring and Eye of Amagatto, > ^^^^^^^^ > > (OOC: This has been driving me crazy for days, sib-not that this > bunch is big on spelling, but it's the Eye of Agamotto. Spell- > checked against both MSH RPGs.) Shame on me. Especialy with me sitting here with theold MSH accessory "Realms of Magic" sitting here, open, beside me. And it isn't *the* Eye of Agammotto, it is *an* Eye of Agamotto. There are _three_ of them, you know.};=8) >>"Hello, you bargan basement spider-symbiote, 'Mind if I drop in?" >>says Dhyrclhanc as he sits atop the sword's hilt in the exact manner >>the Warner Brother's cartoon Vultures seem to ba able to perch on a >>tree. >> >>"Or," he continues, turning around and winking at the Bene Geserit >>Druid, "Am I cutting in here?" > > "THAT YOU ARE," The rapidly growing puddle snarls, a > Quintessence-sword the size of Redemption itself slamming back up at > the Lensdragon, "YOU ACCURSED INTERFERING EGO-ON-WINGS!" Shard grows > to ten times his previous size, rivalling Dhyrclhanc himself. "I > _never_ liked you, Nyxator-Harmon was fun to play with, Solitare was > a joy even to watch, and Seeker-hell, even _I_ learned from Seeker > - but YOU!" Shard isn't fighting for fun, this time, or to distract, > but rather trying to take Dhyrclhanc's hide off! "I didn't get the > chance to kill you last time...but hey, it's the End of Creation, > and it looks like it's payback time all around!" "Well Shard, I have no idea about the rest of what you said, but if you know me as well as you claim to, you will know that I believe that if there is anything around here more important than my ego then I want it taken out and shot immediatly," says the immortal hatchling Ruby Fire Dragon as he is surrounded by a familiar emerald-green aura and matches Shard's near 60-foot height to the inch. > If Dhyrclhanc is giving him a hard time in the swordfight, or the > moment the Lensdragon uses any attack besides Redemption, Shard > creates five tiny Chi-construct Shards on top of him, trying to tear > him apart. Actually, between Shard's fantastically disciplined fighting-style andthe Lensdragon's completly chaotic swordsmanship, the two of them seem to be about equal. Then again, Dhyrclhanc is all defencive maneuvers, again in contrast to Shard's all-out offensive maneuvers (if anyone has seen that fight scene in Danny Kaye's "The Court Jester" then you've got a pretty good idea of what the fight is like). > *"SHARD! DHYRCLHANC! That's ENOUGH!* Morgan shouts, in the tone used > by Gaelic women for millenia, that makes everyone who hears it take > notice, and the victims usually freeze and cringe. And probably a touch of that Bene Geserit "Voice" addedin for good measure, too. };=8) > Shard takes a step back, turning his blade into a spinning shield > and dispersing his constructs. "He started it," the giant immortal > mutters, pointing a foot-long thumb at Dhyrclhanc, oddly chagrined > despite his obvious advantage. > > [Boys.] A grin escapes the Highlander's control. "The way you and I > were fighting was one thing. That was more of an honor duel than > to-the-death, and you know it," she says as she notices Shard about > to object. "But that was attacking family in ernest, and I canna let > you do that. Even if it _was_ rather rude of him to interrupt us." > Her gaze turns on her sib, the reprimand mild but unmistakable. "And > would you two please come down here where I can talk to you." After taking one last, sidelong, glance at Shard, Dhyrclhanc takesa few steps towards Morgan. In the process, he swiftly transforms into his 7' tall, winged, "Lens-T'Skrang" form, sheathing Redemption by his side at the end. > Shard's constructs stop fighting the CAoL and dissipate. *"Okay, > you mooks, go home! We've got enough dead Scions on our hands, and I > don't know how many more'll fit in the Tower's buffer, so git and > _stay_ git! You'll all get your 'pay' when everything shakes down,"* > he says to his allied immortals, and they vanish in staggered > groups, though it takes mere moments for them to all vanish. > Shard looks (up if necessary) at Dhyrclhanc. "So what are _you_ > looking at, scale-tail? Get your act in gear before-" Dhyrclhanc makes a gesture as if to say, "Who? Me?" > "Before _what,_ turncoat?" Takhisis says in a surprisingly even > tone. "Before his goddess shows him the error of his-and, it seems, > your-ways?" Her eyes glow with divine power, and her voice is like > the call of sky to a dragon's wings. "He is your enemy, o brightest > of my children," she says, her beautiful human form becoming that of > a multicolored, shimmering dragon-though this one with but a single > head-and of incredible, sublime beauty by draconic standards. Even > most of the other beings are strangely drawn by her form. "It is our > way. Destroy him, please." When the Queen of all Chaotic Dragons is finished speaking,Dhyrclhanc quickly takes a couple of steps towards her, regaining his 21' tall form in the process. At the same time, he creates a bardiche-style axe with the in his hand with First-Ring, and uses the flat of the axe to make a blocking motion towards Shard. "Forgive me, Oh Queen of Darkness, you may be "my goddess" but I have never worshiped *you* per say. I worship what you represent, especialy when put in contrast with your opposite number -- The Platnium Dragon. I _Respect_ who and what you are and, more importantly, what you represent but I _do_not_Fear_ you!" =========================== Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 14:10:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Seems Like (very) Old Times On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 16:49:49 EDT Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00005969 >On Tue, 22 Sep 1998 22:14:08 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005954 > > Byron, who managed to conceal himself from Malice, fires a psibolt >that 'rings' his psi-shields. As Malice turns, Shard and Roland fire >their respective energies, a bolt of Quickening-lightning and a shot >of the real thing sending his body into overload as the psibolt hits >home. Morgan, meanwhile, heightens the efficiency of his >neurotransmitters far beyond what even Roland's body (for that was >what Malice was using, whatever its appearance) was normally capable >of. The result is...electrifying. > As soon as the blasts strike home, Morgan sends the nervous system >the _other_ way-not that it needs much help by then. Malice falls to >one knee. > "*YES! GOT him!*" Roland exults for a moment. > Then Malice looks up, his eyes glowing so brightly his face cannot >be seen. "AWAY!" > Another wave pushes them back, even despite them being ready for >it. "You _hurt_ me. You pitiful insects actually managed to HURT me!" > >"*I think he's pissed,*" Morgan says quietly. > > "*What was your first clue?*" Roland asks. > Then he raises his staff, and soon they're too busy to make clever >comments as Nephandi appear all around them. Meanwhile Driss adn Roscoe are looking around to see who needs the most help and notices the quartette get mobbed. "OK, looks liek we found our fight to join in." comments Driss as he clips on a belt powerpack attached to a holster holding a laser pistol. Drawing the pistol he levels it at a vampire across the field and fires. The invisible beam hits its mark, making a momentary black dot on the monster's chest before flames lick up and spread like he was made with paper mache'. /Full charge of solar light I trust./ "But of course. Shall we?" /OK, But if they're going to attack up with horrors I know a good form that could confuse them a bit,./ And with that Roscoe begins to change. His body grows black and hard like the exoskeleton of a beetle, at the same time growing to nearly 15 feet long. His wolfe head is joined by three others; a spider's, a gorilla's, adn a lion's. His rear paws stay wolfish but grow to match his new size while horse's hooves sprout on his front legs. From his left side sprouts what appears to be a giant octopus's tentacle, and on the right comes a giants crab arm. His tail splits and one becomes feline-like while the other grows and becomes hard adn scaly until it looks like an alligator's. The tentacle snakes otu and picks Driss up putting him on Rscoe's back. /You turned into Chaos??????/ sends a confused Driss. /Close. Remeber that one earth we ended up in where we met up with Damion Gregory the Demon hunter? We ran into that thing called a Boschala [1]. This is what I would end up looking like were I one./ /Be glad you're not. You're one ugly cuss right now./ /Aww gee, thanks, always glad to know you care. Now let's go fight! Morgan, Roland, We're on our way in to help. [] this is us, don't attack us./ Sends Roscoe, charging into the fray with Driss on his back taking potshots with the solar laser. [1] Boschala is borrow from Paladium's Beyond the Supernatural. They have 100 foot nightvision, can track very well by smell alone, isn't affected by daylight at all, can see the invisible, is impervious to all poisons/toxins/drugs and gasses and regenerates. Besides being god awful ugly and strong as an ox. ;-) =========================== Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 22:20:29 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: To Best Bester On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 20:17:50 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005971 >On Wed, 23 Sep 1998 00:25:57 -0500 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00005953 > >Ziactrice does a quick once over all around the fight. /Okay, Mike it >is, Knytt. Er, Mike. Right. Too many Shadows... / > >[In more ways than one.] James quips, as he frowns noting just how >badly damaged Roland is. Far more than even James himself who has >taken quite a beating. Sil however, is and has prevented or repaired >most of the finer damage to his mind that he could not do with >shapeshifting. Sil doesn't look at _all_ happy with the situation, but to help Roland she'd have to abandon James-who relies far more on finesse than Blaze. >/Let's divvy some of them up, eh old man? Er. Woman. Comrade./ She >struggles for a nueter general noun. And ignores James' jokes, just >reviewing the damage on Roland. Zia runs through opponents, turning >her tactical mind back to the conflict, er, King-of-the-Mountain >stuggle, for the Tower. Roland's a mess. His body's taken a beating, but the damage to his psychic paths is far worse. Fortunately, fighting the grunt soldiers Malice brought with him doesn't seem to be straining what's left of Blaze-apparently Malice _meant_ for these creatures to fall by the dozen-and Morgan managed to get a few 'patches' in place. At the moment, the 'conflict' seems to have degenerated to classic superhero-style solo fights. Probably has something to do with this reality... >/Meanwhile, I believe James could use some help with Roland - he >needs serious TLC. He really should retire from the conflict, but >even _I_ know that is highly unlikely. Starbuck, stay with me, if you >will. Bester has too much help for me to try this alone./ Starbuck blinks. "/How did-whatever, you got it Zia./" He spares her a wink and starts providing cover fire both physical and mental-he catches on quickly, it seems. >The brunette disappears from her position, reappearing smack dab in >front of Bester. Starbuck is with her, although he felt no movement >at all. She looks Bester up and down. "Just what are you attempting >to prove, sir? If you leave now without further hostility, I shall >not attack. If not, I would ask if you've ever read a very early SF >novel dealing with telepathy... it was called The Demolished Man." (OOC: ROFL! I haven't read the novel myself, but I _do_ know the name of the author. Nice touch.) Bester seems mildly amused. "Young lady, you are formidable-anyone who can make the self-styled god Darkseid back away _must_ be. But I was the best telepath in Psi-Corps _before_ my...enhancement." He gestures at himself casually. >"I am a Taoist, and not given to killing. But a death of personality >is not a death of life. You may have one chance to retain your Self. Bester frowns deeply. "No. That is a fate we reserve for those to whom death would be too merciful a punishment." >Choose wisely; I am given to mercy but not unto the point of >foolishness. You have not chosen to be a telepath, but you have >chosen to be more monster than human. And been proud of yourself in >that error. Time for a new path, or an ending." Zia looks like an >Organian on fire, walks like a courtesean, speaks like royalty, and >has already just happened to talk to two of the most powerful before >they decided to cease and desist. Of course, she kind of bought one >of them off, and the other took care of his own desires. Then stopped >the army of nasty looking folks on their Bridge... well, delayed and >annoyed them, at the very least blunted their entire charge. Oh, no, they're good and stopped for the moment-the Ravagons are making _some_ headway, but not a one of them has managed to get all the way down. And the few survivors among the horrors are trapped like flies in Amber. ;^) Bester, however, doesn't seem to care. "I regret this necessity, my dear-you are fascinating. "Unfortunately, you are also an obstacle." *Keep her mate busy,* he sends to his agents. *I will deal with this one.* And he attempts to trap Zia's mind in a 'recursive loop' of thought, much like telling a computer to calculate the value of Pi to the last digit, but by sending the mind on several paradox-loops instead of just one. >On Wed, 23 Sep 1998 01:21:18 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005958 > >/Was just contemplating Bester and Jha'Dur's future. If you want >Bester, by all means, have him./ Mike sends, then sending a couple >good sized lightning bolts at Jha'Dur, followed by a few shots at the >Nephandi, unusual energy beams that look like glittering sunlight, >cover their puncture woulds with silver, leave steam burns, and smell >like garlic. /A little sunlight beam, with holy water, silver and >garlic molecules suspended within. Should handle just about anything >that doesn't require a beheading./ Well, the Kindred don't seem to be happy campers-actually, they seem more like camp _fires,_ for the few momentts before they turn to ash. The Garou are a bit more stubborn, having a tendency to clutch the wounded area and screaming. The mages don't seem to be put out as much, if the wound isn't lethal on contact. But having a hole punched through your body and covered with a metal is no fun even _if_ you aren't particularly vulnerable to the element in question. >/Right. Roland, how can we help?/ /Hey, there's no shortage of targets,/ Roland chuckles, coughing as he sends another would-be headhunter to meet Morpheus. (OOC: Assuming Mike clarifies-I have my reasons for keeping Roland wounded, BTW.) /I knew what you meant,/ Roland sighs, /but a full healing would take too long, and Morgan's already done a good job of patching the wiring together./ =========================== Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 22:20:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: To sum up... On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 20:06:58 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005972 >On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 02:24:16 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00005964 > >> Mandy/Raver said: >> >> [Quiet,] Raver echoed her earlier admonition as she took over, >> triggering the familiar metamorphosis. /Roland -- our thanks for >> the suit, but you do not need another distraction. I have enough >> protection for us now./ Roland's mind practically sighs in relief on its own. /Not a problem, and thanks. Good to have 'you' back, Raver./ >> [This Mournblade is a demon.] With that, armor writhed into >> place and the huge sword appeared in their gauntleted fist. They >> slid back to a better vantage point, silently caping their wings. Mournblade watches Raver move away, nods in approval, then turns his/its full attention to Stranger. >"So what now Mournblade?" > >Stranger stared at the demon, his own two swords held casually in his >hands, apparently calm, but those with eyes to see would percieve his >mind reaching out, searching for something, maybe even calling >something to him. "What now, Eternal One? Now you die, of course. Not forever, of course-even my 'brother' could not hold your accursed soul," Mournblade says, the comment on the curse seeming to be an observation rather than an insult. "But your spirit will feed me during this conflict-empowering me, enabling me to overcome all enemies." Mournblade's eyes glittered dangerously as his 'hand' became a familiar-looking blade. "Your death, however temporary, is also welcome." His smile broadened. "And don't bother calling on HIM. Stormbringer is safely tucked..." (OOC: If Stranger is doing what I _think_ he's doing...) The blade in question appears at Stranger's side. "...away..." *Hello, dear brother,* Stormbringer sends darkly. *I believe I have YOU to thank for returning me to this form, do I not?* =========================== Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 22:20:45 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Day of the Destroyer On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 21:20:35 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005973 >On Wed, 23 Sep 1998 08:00:29 -0400 >Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00005959 > >>On Tue, 22 Sep 1998 19:37:13 >>Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005950 >> >> Z'On'Dar gestures at the stones. "Quickly, Legion, place one >>against the Tower. Use the others as you require, but I suggest >>maintaining possession of at least one, especially if you intend to >>use...THOSE." > >Legion nods, "Agreed." One stone vanishes, appearing against the >tower. The others arrange themselves about her as Legion 'holds' onto >them on levels deeper than meerly physical. As the stone connects to the Tower, the entire construct glows just a bit more brightly. >Legion stands before the book of metal plates, and the pages begin to >turn themselves, her eyes running over them. Soon she looks towards >the Crawler. She shows no response to his true appearance, and begins >to chant. The words she intones were not meant for a human throat, >yet she has no difficulty. Indeed, it is any normal humans trying >listen that have a problem, as for the most part their minds simply >refuse to hear or process the sounds. Malice frowns. "Hmmph. That will NOT do." >[OOC: Legion has allowed one of her non-human persona's to take >front. Said entity is a power mage and very stable. She is begining a >spell to banish Crawler and seal this dimension off from him. Lets >see if she's allowed to finish.] (OOC: Unlikely. I kinda _need_ the Crawler for later. But everyone's welcome to try-believe you me, you _don't_ want this puppy getting _stronger._) There's a roar like a psychotic squirrel on acid bellowing louder than AC/DC at ten paces, and the Crawler wavers the way the air does above a fire. Then a ripple washes over Legion's position, the sort of energy one generally does NOT want while performing this sort of banishment. The stones protect Legion from any backlash she does not prevent, but the brief wash of 'unreality' plays havoc with the casting. And an OOZING thing with more tentacles than body space for them appears nearby, tiny explosions pop around it as air molecules are obliterated upon touching it. The tentacles lash out, attempting to 'nullify' anything it touches (think matter touching antimatter, but not nearly as violent) or, failing that, just crushing them. A few moments later (however long it takes for Legion to finish the ritual, after the interruption) the creature vanishes, a few screaming Nephandi it had grabbed sent with it. The Crawler ripples more violently than before, but holds its ground... >On Wed, 23 Sep 1998 20:25:18 -0400 (EDT) >Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005962 > >>On Tue, 22 Sep 1998 19:37:13 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005950 >> >> "You who are known as Jadis," he intones, as he appears between >>the Zodaii and the Tower. "Do you give your word that you will not >>threated Apokolips?" > >"My word I do give. I will offer no threat to Apokolips." Jadis >solemnly swears. Darkseid nods with respect and vanishes. Twice more he appears near a villain, and gets the same response. Then he asks the Gaunt Man. >> /Hmmph. So much for plan 'A,'/ Roland thinks... There's a HUGE explosion as Darkseid and the Gaunt Man have a rather violent disagreement. Darkseid's entire contingent vanishes, summoned by their master. Roland grins. /Then again.../ >John stares at Galactus, who doesn't seem to be in a hurry to get out >of the way. A shade of purple almost black covers his body, and he >walks forward, sending a message to Jadis, ^She'at'ne, Summon forth >your allies to deal with any of the lower threats.^ > >OOC: It's a matter/energy intake field, extremely strong. Galactus almost _smiles._ "I am impressed. Not concerned, mind you, but I _am_ impressed." Then space warps around John, with power closer to Eternity's than what Galactus' was, intended to send John away from the Tower no matter _which_ direction he walks/flies/whichever. Teleportation seems to be a BAD idea. >Jadis almost smiles, "What, You don't want to have your vassals see >you thus? Or perhaps they would be more likely to attack you instead >of your enemies." > >Jadis works his will on reality, finding some resistance, but he does >manage to open a gateway to the infernal regions. A dark host comes >forth, only the lower demons, none of the true Powers. Roland gulps. "Much more of this, we're going to get overrun by sheer numbers! Julian?" "Occupied," Julian says curtly as he cuts the head off another... something. [Nass. We've got to-we've GOT to-] Roland smiles broadly. /*COVER me!*/ He pops the forcefield around him full force, SITS in the middle of his would-be attackers, and closes his eyes. *_What_ are you doing?* Morgan's tone carries a worried edge as she provides the requested cover. The whirling flashing death she becomes would make Cuisinart Boy proud ;-). *He's calling for reinforcements,* Byron replies with a thin smile, his _own_ blade taking an impressive toll. *You've improved.* *I've had a lot of practice.* Morgan replies absently. *Thorne helped a little, too,* she adds with a hint of a grin. *"THORNE?!"* Byron blurts, almost breaking into laughter in the middle of battle. *That worthless milksop? What could he-* Byron blinks, switching to defense, and looks up. An airship, the tech looking much the same as what Shard brought with him, appears above the battlefield. Aeon immortals, Concordia enchanters and fae, and True Mages of every paradigm pour out, led by Jason and a woman with wild eyes and sea-green hair. Roland's eyes snap open, and he stands with a smile. "It worked. It WORKED! HA!" Then there's a flash of light near the three warriors, and in moments there's a clear space around where the light appeared. Soon there's a clear space around the three of them as well, and a man approaches, pulling his sword from the heart of a Garou. "Hello, lad." Roland smiles, then extends the Phoenix Claw, drops to one knee, bows his head, and says, "Kaor, John Carter-Prince of Helium, Warlord of Barsoom, Paragon of Pride Roane and First among the Prides." "Holy mother of light," Morgan breathes, astonished. Byron chuckles. "Well, I never thought I'd see _you_ so impressed by _any_ man," he says to Morgan. "_Never_ have I seen Roland bend knee to _any_one. Not even Their Majesties of Arcadia." Morgan does a quick scan of the area to make sure no attackers are nigh, and curties deeply. "Your Highness," she says with her best court manners. Captain Carter smiles a smile rich with context-apparently, this sort of attention used to embarrass him, but he got used to it over time, and tolerates it now with faint amusement. "Roland." He nods. "And you must be Morgan," he says, smiling at her. "I see the tales of your skill and beauty are accurate." Morgan blushes (tm Roland). He sheathes his blade in the heart of a drove warrior foolish enough to approach the Warlord of Mars. "Sadly, there isn't much time for niceties. Stand, Defender of Pride Phoenix-" Roland blinks in half-remembered surprise at the title- "there is little time and much to do. What is your plan?" Roland's jaw drops as he stands, and the force that arrived tears into both Nephandi and demons. "My plan? To turn over command to you, sir! I mean, you're...you're _John_Carter!_ Sir." A bolt of lightning lashes out almost absently from Roland's hand, throwing back an Unseelie Troll. "Perhaps, but they're your people, and this is your fight." Captain Carter salutes Roland with his blade. "Excuse me." He holds off three attacking gaunts (immies, not Gaunt Man types) and pushes them back. The Nephandi begin regaining their nerve and try to move in again. "Light. John Carter just..." Roland shakes it off almost savagely. "Not the time or the place. *JASON!*" *No need to shout,* Jason replies, his 'voice' mild but amused. *Yes?* *Can you push them away from the Tower? Z'On'Dar will need room to work,* Roland sends. *Done,* Jason replies, giving the order. *And Jason...welcome back.* Roland smiles as he wades back in. *Huh. That James Bond wannabe may not have understood _some_ things, but he was right on _one_ count-I'd become a thug. I didn't like that.* Jason glares at an immie who tries to earn an instant rep on the _wrong_ old warrior. "Foolish. And fatal." One beheading (and a _very_ quick Quickening) later, the battle continues. =========================== Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 22:20:55 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: To sum up... On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 21:23:09 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005974 >On Wed, 23 Sep 1998 20:33:09 -0400 (EDT) >Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005963 > >>On Tue, 22 Sep 1998 19:15:38 >>Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005949 >> >> Jha'Dur reappears by Julian, but vanishes again as the Amberite's >>blade flies toward her almost before she appears. > >John/Jadis jointly send, ^Jha'Dur. We can teach you what you might >wish to know about reality and the travel thereof. We only ask that >you continue to keep these fools from us.^ Jha'Dur appears amidst the Aeon/demon battle, aiding the demons. ^Done. Keep from which of you, and to what end?^ (OOC: Damn. Jadis is fighting _smart_ today...) =========================== Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 22:21:01 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: The Dangers of Reentry (Long!) On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 21:41:53 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005975 >On Wed, 23 Sep 1998 19:33:53 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00005967 > >Nemo notices it too. > >/Ah. Sunlight. Of course./ > >The Velet Glove creates some *huge* sheets of silver (of course) >foil, positioned to give not merely continous sunlight on the battle >site, but to eliminate as many shadows as possible. The remaining Kindred explode into flames. Briefly. >On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 12:02:45 -0400 >Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00005968 > >> On Sun, 20 Sep '98 >> Morgan and/or Roland Said >> >> "I didn't get the chance to kill you last time...but hey, it's the >> End of Creation, and it looks like it's payback time all around!" > >"Well Shard, I have no idea about the rest of what you said, but if >you know me as well as you claim to, you will know that I believe >that if there is anything around here more important than my ego then >I want it taken out and shot immediatly," says the immortal hatchling >Ruby Fire Dragon as he is surrounded by a familiar emerald-green aura >and matches Shard's near 60-foot height to the inch. "Well, it may be the _biggest_ thing around here, but believe me, when the fabric of the multiverse is at stake your _ego_ falls PRETTY low on the importance scale!" Shard growls. >When the Queen of all Chaotic Dragons is finished speaking,Dhyrclhanc >quickly takes a couple of steps towards her, regaining his 21' tall >form in the process. At the same time, he creates a bardiche-style >axe with the in his hand with First-Ring, and uses the flat of the >axe to make a blocking motion towards Shard. > >"Forgive me, Oh Queen of Darkness, you may be "my goddess" but I have >never worshiped *you* per say. I worship what you represent, >especialy when put in contrast with your opposite number -- The >Platnium Dragon. I _Respect_ who and what you are and, more >importantly, what you represent but I _do_not_Fear_ you!" Her eyes shine with every color, and she...smiles. "Ah, but Bright One," she says in a voice to make the Sirens envious, "who said I wanted you to _fear_ me?" Her neck entwines around Dhyrclhanc's without _quite_ touching, her cheek sliding close enough to his for him to feel her breath. "You are a wonder, even among our kind. I could make you a god yourself, worshipped, revered...and there would be...OTHER benefits..." She disentangles their necks and faces him, her eyes boring into his. "Forget the human. Join your magicks to mine. We shall create a new Age...the Age of Dragonkind..." (OOC: So, sib, how's everyone's favorite Lensdragon doing on _this_ battlefield? ) =========================== Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 22:21:08 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Seems Like (very) Old Times On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 21:50:33 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005976 >On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 16:49:49 EDT >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00005969 > /OK, But if they're going to attack up with horrors I know a good >form that could confuse them a bit,./ And with that Roscoe begins to >change. His body grows black and hard like the exoskeleton of a >beetle, at the same time growing to nearly 15 feet long. His wolfe >head is joined by three others; a spider's, a gorilla's, adn a >lion's. His rear paws stay wolfish but grow to match his new size >while horse's hooves sprout on his front legs. From his left side >sprouts what appears to be a giant octopus's tentacle, and on the >right comes a giants crab arm. His tail splits and one becomes >feline-like while the other grows and becomes hard adn scaly until it >looks like an alligator's. The tentacle snakes otu and picks Driss up >putting him on Rscoe's back. > /You turned into Chaos??????/ sends a confused Driss. (OOC: Yeah, that's what _I_ was going to ask! ) > /Close. Remeber that one earth we ended up in where we met up with >Damion Gregory the Demon hunter? We ran into that thing called a >Boschala [1]. This is what I would end up looking like were I one./ > /Be glad you're not. You're one ugly cuss right now./ > /Aww gee, thanks, always glad to know you care. Now let's go fight! >Morgan, Roland, We're on our way in to help. [] this is us, don't >attack us./ Sends Roscoe, charging into the fray with Driss on his >back taking potshots with the solar laser. /Thanks for warning us,/ Roland replies. /The way things are going, if you'd come up to me like that I might have fried you before I knew what was going on. Not that that would have _hurt_ you, but it could've been kind of distracting./ /At least _your_ attacks are non-lethal,/ Morgan sends to her husband. /Thanks for the warning, Roscoe./ There's a brief burst of tepe work from Roland. /The new arrivals have been appraised of your...appearance. Oh, and keep clear of the guy with these {} armbands; as long as he's conscious, he doesn't _need_ help, and he tends to attract one hell of a mess./ (OOC: The guy with the armbands, of course, is John Carter. And FTR, he _is_ wearing enough for Terran modesty's sake.) =========================== Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 00:08:17 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: To Best Bester On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 23:38:21 -0700 (PDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005977 >On Wed, 23 Sep 1998 08:08:40 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005961 > >>On Wed, 23 Sep 1998 01:21:18 -0500 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005958 >> >/Actually,/ Morgan decides to spare some thought from the fighting to >add her $.02 worth, /"Mike" is a prefectly valid nickname for >"Michaela." At least it was on that show with the lady doctor./ "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." I know that, but I'm going to assume >that Morgan's familiarilty with 20th c. TV is somewhat less than mine >;-).> /Well, -I- am not changing my name, so 'Mike' -is- fine./ Mike sends as she dodges a Nephandi sword. >>/Was just contemplating Bester and Jha'Dur's future. If you want >>Bester, by all means, have him./ Mike sends, then sending a couple >>good sized lightning bolts at Jha'Dur, followed by a few shots at >>the Nephandi, unusual energy beams that look like glittering >>sunlight, cover their puncture woulds with silver, leave steam >>burns, and smell like garlic. /A little sunlight beam, with holy >>water, silver and garlic molecules suspended within. Should handle >>just about anything that doesn't require a beheading./ > >Morgan watches this attack with interest. /Hey, my magicks out to be >able to do something pretty close to that! Especially if I add using >my Power Ring. Thanks for the idea, Mike. / /Glad to help,/ Mike sends, as another scorching beam strikes its target. >On Wed, 23 Sep 1998 19:33:53 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00005967 > >Nemo notices it too. > >/Ah. Sunlight. Of course./ > >The Velet Glove creates some *huge* sheets of silver (of course) >foil, positioned to give not merely continous sunlight on the battle >site, but to eliminate as many shadows as possible. > >/Would anyone like some backpack spraying units? They're loaded with > a suspension of silver and garlic in holy water. And some DMSO to > encourage absorption thru whatever passes for skin. And a touch of > MSG so that if nothing else affects them, they'll have killer > headaches. :-)/ Mike smirks, /After this is all over, I think I am going to raid the nearest dimension's Olive Garden./ >On Wed, 23 Sep 1998 20:25:18 -0400 (EDT) >Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005962 >> >>On Tue, 22 Sep 1998 19:37:13 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005950 >> >> "You who are known as Jadis," he intones, as he appears between >>the Zodaii and the Tower. "Do you give your word that you will not >>threated Apokolips?" > >"My word I do give. I will offer no threat to Apokolips." Jadis >solemnly swears. > >> /Hmmph. So much for plan 'A,'/ Roland thinks... /Yeah, it's just been one of -those- days,/ Mike thinks. >Jadis works his will on reality, finding some resistance, but he does >manage to open a gateway to the infernal regions. A dark host comes >forth, only the lower demons, none of the true Powers. Mike frowns. /That's it, no more Mr. Nice Guy../ Mike looks up, running some calculations through her head. /Tower there, demons there, sunlight there and....yeah, over there will be perfect. Won't block the sun or mess with the tower, but it will hit the intended targets./ Mike flew into the air with a short /BRB, gonna do a rather special little rain dance./ Going well away from the rest of the battlefield, Mike conjured up a stormcloud, a huge dark grey cumulonimbus. The massive thunderhead rolled in place as Mike made a few gestures, creating a narrow sheet of gale force winds that began to blow just under the cloud. The cloud began to rain heavily. The droplets were caught in the wind, where they were blown out from under the cloud horizontally until they were over the battlefield where they were dropped straight down in the suddenly mostly still air. /Raver, I don't think you'll want to teleport in here right now,/ Mike said, returning to the battlefield, /It's raining holy water. Sorry about the wet, guys, but I figured the advantage of a large range of coverage might be worth it./ Mike looks around, /Think consecrating the ground is overdoing it?/ =========================== Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 17:00:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Day of the Destroyer On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 18:53:17 -0400 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00005978 >On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 21:20:35 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005973 > > There's a roar like a psychotic squirrel on acid bellowing louder >than AC/DC at ten paces, and the Crawler wavers the way the air does >above a fire. > Then a ripple washes over Legion's position, the sort of energy >one generally does NOT want while performing this sort of banishment. >The stones protect Legion from any backlash she does not prevent, but >the brief wash of 'unreality' plays havoc with the casting. > And an OOZING thing with more tentacles than body space for them >appears nearby, tiny explosions pop around it as air molecules are >obliterated upon touching it. The tentacles lash out, attempting to >'nullify' anything it touches (think matter touching antimatter, but >not nearly as violent) or, failing that, just crushing them. > A few moments later (however long it takes for Legion to finish >the ritual, after the interruption) the creature vanishes, a few >screaming Nephandi it had grabbed sent with it. The Crawler ripples >more violently than before, but holds its ground... Legion's eyes narrow, and her attacks get more... subtle. Instead of straightforward banishment she begins to isolate the Crawler from any sorces of power that she can manage. She also focuses on keeping anyone from sinking their claws, tentacles, or other appendages into the tower. =========================== Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 17:00:37 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: To Best Bester On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 19:20:14 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005979 >On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 23:38:21 -0700 (PDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005977 > >Mike flew into the air with a short /BRB, gonna do a rather special >little rain dance./ Going well away from the rest of the battlefield, >Mike conjured up a stormcloud, a huge dark grey cumulonimbus. The >massive thunderhead rolled in place as Mike made a few gestures, >creating a narrow sheet of gale force winds that began to blow just >under the cloud. The cloud began to rain heavily. The droplets were >caught in the wind, where they were blown out from under the cloud >horizontally until they were over the battlefield where they were >dropped straight down in the suddenly mostly still air. > >/Raver, I don't think you'll want to teleport in here right now,/ >Mike said, returning to the battlefield, /It's raining holy water. >Sorry about the wet, guys, but I figured the advantage of a large >range of coverage might be worth it./ > >Mike looks around, /Think consecrating the ground is overdoing it?/ Jadis smiles. The droplets fall, and _most_ of the host seems slightly nervous. Then the rain hits the barrier of superheated air between it and the demons and evaporates. An ugly roar wells from their throats, and they surge forward with renewed confidence. Jadis speaks to that which was John, ^The demons do have some rather well known weaknesses.^ John, ^Couldn't you have found a group that didn't have that silly weakness to holy water? There are more than three beleif systems out there.^ Jadis, ^What would have been the fun of that? Besides, these aren't your normal sort of demon anyway. Do you have anything to contribute to this venture, or are you just going to play with Galactus?^ John, ^Yeah. You have a mixed force. Bring in more of those others. As for physical help, yes, I have an idea.^ Jadis, ^Bring it on.^ John sends forth a flicker of will, again playing with reality. (OOC: This will have occurred after my response to Galactus.) A huge rift opens between the dimensions, this one on the other side of the battle from J&J's forces, and out of it pour.. Bugs. Giant man-sized bugs that race forth and attack everything in sight. The rift flickers as the first hits are taken against it, but it stays open a bit longer expelling more of the Horde. John sends back, ^With luck, this will overwhelm the mortals. It should at least keep them busy while I gain the Tower.^ =========================== Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 17:00:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Day of the Destroyer On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 19:32:07 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005980 >On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 21:20:35 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005973 > > Galactus almost _smiles._ "I am impressed. Not concerned, mind you, >but I _am_ impressed." Then space warps around John, with power >closer to Eternity's than what Galactus' was, intended to send John >away from the Tower no matter _which_ direction he >walks/flies/ whichever. Teleportation seems to be a BAD idea. John lips move in what might be a smile, but not on any human mouth. Space is warped even more. Reality is bent at imaginary angles. Anyone looking at Galactus sees a prism effect, with bits of him scattered all over the prism. And the major upshot is that John continues to advance on the Tower. His skin is beginning to smoke. "I do not care about your feelings, just as I no longer care to heed the limits of this body." =========================== Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 17:00:53 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: To sum up... On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 19:35:56 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005981 >On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 21:23:09 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005974 > >>On Wed, 23 Sep 1998 20:33:09 -0400 (EDT) >>Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005963 >> >>John/Jadis jointly send, ^Jha'Dur. We can teach you what you might >>wish to know about reality and the travel thereof. We only ask that >>you continue to keep these fools from us.^ > > Jha'Dur appears amidst the Aeon/demon battle, aiding the demons. >^Done. Keep from which of you, and to what end?^ > (OOC: Damn. Jadis is fighting _smart_ today...) ^They must all be kept from preventing the one designated John from reaching the Tower before Z'On'Dar dismantles it. Use your judgement.^ =========================== Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 20:08:35 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE4: To sum up... On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 02:23:54 -0700 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00005982 > On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 20:06:58 > Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005972 > >>"So what now Mournblade?" >> >>Stranger stared at the demon, his own two swords held casually in >>his hands, apparently calm, but those with eyes to see would >>percieve his mind reaching out, searching for something, maybe even >>calling something to him. > > "What now, Eternal One? Now you die, of course. Not forever, of > course-even my 'brother' could not hold your accursed soul," > Mournblade says, the comment on the curse seeming to be an > observation rather than an insult. "But your spirit will feed me > during this conflict-empowering me, enabling me to overcome all > enemies." "Gosh. How original." Stranger was scornful "Unlikely too." > Mournblade's eyes glittered dangerously as his 'hand' became a > familiar-looking blade. "Your death, however temporary, is also > welcome." His smile broadened. "And don't bother calling on HIM. > Stormbringer is safely tucked..." > (OOC: If Stranger is doing what I _think_ he's doing...) > The blade in question appears at Stranger's side. > "...away..." > *Hello, dear brother,* Stormbringer sends darkly. *I believe I > have YOU to thank for returning me to this form, do I not?* "Well now," added Stranger "I believe the balance of power has subtly shifted" he grinned broadly as Stormbringer started to twist hungrily in his hand. /Guys, I Strongly Recommend you not get to near when I've got Stormbringer, I'm not sure how much control I'm going to have/ With that he stepped towards mournblade and brought Stormbringer screaming forward onto Mournblades own blade. Battle was joined and Stranger, with Stormbringer in hand, fought with a ferocity seldom seen. Ever. Anywhere. His initial assualt threw Mournblade back onto the defensive, blows raining down, Strangers cris mixing with the sickening screaming of the blade in his hand. =========================== Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 20:08:47 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: To Best Bester On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 19:51:56 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005983 >On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 19:20:14 -0400 (EDT) >Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005979 > >>On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 23:38:21 -0700 (PDT) >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005977 >> >>/Raver, I don't think you'll want to teleport in here right now,/ >>Mike said, returning to the battlefield, /It's raining holy water. >>Sorry about the wet, guys, but I figured the advantage of a large >>range of coverage might be worth it./ >> >>Mike looks around, /Think consecrating the ground is overdoing it?/ > >Jadis smiles. The droplets fall, and _most_ of the host seems >slightly nervous. Then the rain hits the barrier of superheated air >between it and the demons and evaporates. An ugly roar wells from >their throats, and they surge forward with renewed confidence. Not for long. Roland, even in his present state, has to chuckle as he sees this. [He HAS to be kidding,] he thinks as he cools the interposed air to a less volatile state. [More PK per square inch than you can find in most superteam HQs, and he tries a stunt like that?] >John sends forth a flicker of will, again playing with reality. (OOC: >This will have occurred after my response to Galactus.) A huge rift >opens between the dimensions, this one on the other side of the >battle from J&J's forces, and out of it pour.. Bugs. Giant man-sized >bugs that race forth and attack everything in sight. The rift >flickers as the first hits are taken against it, but it stays open a >bit longer expelling more of the Horde. Roland scans briefly. Non-sentients. /Good,/ he says grimly, /I need to cut loose, and I _hated_ that movie./ (OOC: Delete the last comment if they don't look like the things from the movie supposedly based on ST.) Roland lands amid the attacking creatures and starts squashing them like...well...bugs. Morgan ports in after him, landing at his back. /Not without me you don't,/ she comments dryly as she starts in on the bugs herself. /You're under par, and I want someone watching your back. Preferably me,/ she adds with a smile. She scans the bugs for any particular chemical, magickal, etc. weaknesses while she slices and dices. /Oh, come on. If you want to make bug patee, I'd love the company, but please! They're _bugs._ Not particularly dangerous bugs, either./ A force replica of the MU Thor's Mjolnir forms in Roland's hand, and he starts throwing it at the bugs, shattering them on contact. =========================== Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 20:15:22 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Day of the Destroyer On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 20:07:46 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005984 >On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 18:53:17 -0400 >Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00005978 > >>On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 21:20:35 >>Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005973 >> >> A few moments later (however long it takes for Legion to finish >>the ritual, after the interruption) the creature vanishes, a few >>screaming Nephandi it had grabbed sent with it. The Crawler ripples >>more violently than before, but holds its ground... > >Legion's eyes narrow, and her attacks get more... subtle. Instead of >straightforward banishment she begins to isolate the Crawler from any >sorces of power that she can manage. She also focuses on keeping >anyone from sinking their claws, tentacles, or other appendages into >the tower. The Crawler's power is beyond belief all by itself, but it _does_ seem to be drawing power from...something...and Legion _is_ interfering with that link. Then she sees it. Well, 'seeing' it isn't quite accurate...more of a sensation, really...Malice contains a 'piece' of the same power, but the Crawler is practically mainlining it. The Adversary. The dread power that even the Starspawn fear. The Crawler is the avatar they dread. It had been hiding its link to the Crawler, but Legion's effort had revealed its deception, and now the Crawler gives up duplicity and tries to strengthen its link. Elsewhere, Malice sighs. [I'd hoped that they wouldn't figure that out for a bit longer...well, no use for it now. I'll just have to accelerate my plans...] >On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 19:32:07 -0400 (EDT) >Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005980 > >>On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 21:20:35 >>Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005973 >> >> Galactus almost _smiles._ "I am impressed. Not concerned, mind >>you, but I _am_ impressed." Then space warps around John, with power >>closer to Eternity's than what Galactus' was, intended to send John >>away from the Tower no matter _which_ direction he >>walks/flies/whichever. Teleportation seems to be a BAD idea. > >John lips move in what might be a smile, but not on any human mouth. >Space is warped even more. Reality is bent at imaginary angles. >Anyone looking at Galactus sees a prism effect, with bits of him >scattered all over the prism. And the major upshot is that John >continues to advance on the Tower. His skin is beginning to smoke. "I >do not care about your feelings, just as I no longer care to heed the >limits of this body." Galactus frowns. "I was attempting to spare you, as an unwilling pawn of the Zodaii, but you _cannot_ be allowed to reach the Tower. COME TO ME, MY HERALD!" A golden woman sheathed in fusion-flame rockets out of Galactus' sphere. "It's about _time!_ You call, big guy?" Nova asks, landing in front of John. "Stop *{}* him." The prism 'shatters,' its pieces flying at John. Galactus is no longer in that space. "Hmmph. You must be one hot customer, to give _Galactus_ trouble-but mister, SO AM I!" Nova creates a fusion wall in front of John, its energy 'held' by her powers to prevent his manipulation of same. Meanwhile, Galactus appears in front of Jadis. "You have caused enough trouble in this place," the one-time world-eater says tonelessly, and channels the Tower's vast energies. "I only give you this opportunity for the sake of Aurora's ally. Release him and leave. Now." If Jadis refuses, tells him off, or otherwise gives Galactus a hard time, he proceeds to use his own vastly enhanced power along with the Tower's energies to disperse Jadis' form and consciousness across the multiverse. >On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 19:35:56 -0400 (EDT) >Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005981 > >>On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 21:23:09 >>Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005974 >> >> Jha'Dur appears amidst the Aeon/demon battle, aiding the demons. >>^Done. Keep from which of you, and to what end?^ > >^They must all be kept from preventing the one designated John from >reaching the Tower before Z'On'Dar dismantles it. Use your >judgement.^ Jha'Dur appears next to John, apparently unable to teleport past Nova. "Counterfield," she suggests. =========================== Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 21:37:10 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: To Best Bester On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 00:19:10 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00005985 Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005979 > John sends forth a flicker of will, again playing with reality. > (OOC: This will have occurred after my response to Galactus.) A huge > rift opens between the dimensions, this one on the other side of the > battle from J&J's forces, and out of it pour.. Bugs. Giant man-sized > bugs that race forth and attack everything in sight. The rift > flickers as the first hits are taken against it, but it stays open a > bit longer expelling more of the Horde. > > John sends back, ^With luck, this will overwhelm the mortals. It > should at least keep them busy while I gain the Tower.^ A moment later, from space, Dragon's Bane fires (mere flickers) the secondary weapons on the side of the ship facing the planet. Each salvo hitting several hundred of the bugs with a few megawatts of energy each (don't want to incinerate the whole area now do we) in the space of a micro second. Then the weapons are re-targeted and fired at the next bunch. This continues until there are no more bugs. At the same time, Aurora warps space, and the cloud of Holy water suddenly vanishes from the sky, and appears around (and touching) the Demons. =========================== Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 22:06:49 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Day of the Destroyer On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 00:40:09 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00005986 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005984 > Then she sees it. > Well, 'seeing' it isn't quite accurate...more of a sensation, > really...Malice contains a 'piece' of the same power, but the > Crawler is practically mainlining it. > The Adversary. The dread power that even the Starspawn fear. The > Crawler is the avatar they dread. It had been hiding its link to the > Crawler, but Legion's effort had revealed its deception, and now the > Crawler gives up duplicity and tries to strengthen its link. > Elsewhere, Malice sighs. [I'd hoped that they wouldn't figure > that out for a bit longer...well, no use for it now. I'll just have > to accelerate my plans...] (OOC: Is that the Adversary of Earth 9, or the Great Adversary?) *By all that's Holy. An Avatar of the (Great?) Adversary. Jadis, John neither Malice nor, the Crawler must get the tower. If either does, everything that lives will die, and what CAN'T die will exist in pain for all eternity. Stop argueing over the tower, and help us stop them. After this is over, if you must have a portal to all the universes I will build it for you, so you can continue your pointless war.* Aurora sends. =========================== Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 23:37:07 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE IV: The Gaunt Man Returns On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 23:20:56 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005987 Roland and Morgan fight valiantly (as usual) but in this case, the odds are with them for once. The bugs are proving to be little match for the Freelance Immortals. Then the golden strands Zia used to block passage down the Maelstrom Bridge begin to glow a dark, eerie luminescence-'light' isn't the exact word, but it's still a glow. Then they crack, and _that_ darkness seems to kill light near it. The survivors who were still fighting the energy scream once and are yanked into the cracks, except for the Ravagons, who 'merely' scream in agony. Then the web shatters, horrors begin to filter down the badly damaged Bridge (though the reduced size and ragged condition make for slow and dangerous travel) and a Gaunt Man covered in cracks appears next to Roland. He glares at Morgan, who flies back just as she notices him, then he grabs the surprised Roland's neck and begins to squeeze. The bugs that approach him simply cease to exist. "YOU!" the Gaunt Man roars, and the planet shakes. "You cost me dozens of stelae and THOUSANDS of possibilities on Core Earth! Your 'Maelstrom Knights' ruined my alliance with Zersoiten! And now, your pathetic so-called 'Army of Light' causes my entanglement in this absurd scheme and thwarts my plans for revenge! Do you have ANY idea how much POSSIBILITY force is required to drop a Maelstrom Bridge into a foreign reality?! Most REALITIES never possess that much power!" "ghk-gll-hnng-" Roland, too weak to provide the Gaunt Man any challenge, hangs there and chokes. "But at least I will have this much by way of satisfaction: you will die, a slow, painful, horrific death, weak and futile." [Mother, no,] Morgan thinks as she picks herself up. Corruption incarnate, and Roland wasn't strong enough to even fight back. If the Gaunt Man decided to drain his chi... no time to call for help.... waaaay out of her league..... Mother....... "Mother. MOTHER!" Morgan shouts, calling on her goddess with all the force of a lover's desperation. "Morrigan! Dark Mother, hear your daughter's plea! Help me to save him!" The Gaunt Man blinks, as even _he_ cannot ignore the violent storm that erupts around the Druidess. As she spreads her arms, the rain washing over her, she begins to change. Her clothes and hair fade to black, becoming rough and spiky, then emerging as feathers. Her cry turns into a bird's shriek as her mouth turns into a long beak. She grows, until she towers well over the tall Gaunt Man, a raven some 21 feet in height with wings that raise a windstorm with their first beat. A crimson glow to match the power of the one in Takhisis' eyes emanates from the raven's gaze. "Release the Phoenix Child," the voice both is and isn't Morgan's. Anyone checking (and with this bunch I have to assume _someone_ is ;-) will sense that Morgan hasn't been fully replaced, but she _is_ willingly letting her matron diety have full control. The Goddess does, however, appear to be taking advantage of Morgan's training in Voice (like she needs it ). "Huh." The Gaunt Man tosses Roland aside casually. "It has been some time since I have killed a god. And, I think, slaying this pathetic shell's mate will be the most delicious anguish I can inflict upon him." With that, he raises his skull-topped staff and a storm of pure Reality lashes out from it at Mor(ri)gan. A shield of darkness consumes the assault. Then the shield shatters, and the battle begins in earnest. As reality warps and shudders around the Dark Goddess and the Gaunt Man, Roland slowly struggles to his feet. And despite Morgan's form and surrender to her goddess, he _knows_ who is fighting the Gaunt Man. The Morrigan is doing well, but he's _seen_ what that monster can do, to entire universes... A beam of pure force with a 1.5 meter diameter lashes from Roland's chest and hits the Gaunt Man full on. Though Roland's level of control has dropped to the point where he can't even focus the beam, his mental restraints are practically nonexistent. "Get. Away. From. HER!" "GN!" The Gaunt Man, caught in between the destructive force of the Battle Raven (channelled through a True Mage) and the pure power of a nascent cosmic immortal, staggers. "No. NO! This is INTOLERABLE! You will NOT do this! I will not ALLOW it!" A wave of pure destruction lashes out from him, annihilating everything in a ten meter radius around him. Except Roland and Mor(ri)gan. Roland was shielded by his own blast, while using force of destruction against the Morrigan was a futile gesture. As an attack. Their attacks on _him,_ however, are disrupted rather handily. For a moment. "Fool, to challenge a faith justified," the Goddess-avatar says, and in that moment her form becomes a 'holy symbol,' the power of Morgan's faith crashing into the Gaunt Man like a wave, followed by a literal wave as the rainstorm is slammed into him for good measure. By the rules of his own reality, the Gaunt Man is a horror. As such, he can be driven away by the power of a sufficiently strong faith. There's a sound like a black hole used for a stormdrain, and a blurring of the Gaunt One's form. He vanishes. "Heh." Roland falls to his knees, just barely erecting a forcefield as the bugs come rushing back in. "Love, do _you_ know how to leave an impression!" He coughs a bit of blood as he chuckles. The Mor(ri)gan moves to Roland's side, returning to human size and form. The form is still not quite Morgan, though. The skin, hair and eyes are all darker, and the power of the Dark Mother still eminates. "Be strong, my child," she says, laying a hand on his forehead. Even now, as she is, Morgan can't heal Roland fully. But the added power allows him to repair much of his physical form, and enough of the ravaged psychic channels are realigned to enable him to _think_ again. He feels something merge with his spirit briefly, soothing it. He stands. "Nass. What a mess." He starts to give Morgan a kiss-then stops, unsure if that would be such a good idea. /Okay, folx, time to bait and switch. Mike, I don't think Jha'Dur will expect another attack from you, and Nova is no _way_ going to be able to handle her and John solo. Aurora, Nemo, you two help Legion while Dragon's Bane blasts that thing. Stranger-/ Roland looks up. /Um, never mind. James, I'm patched up for the moment, go back and help Zia nail Bester. Sib, either slug her or kiss her./ Even the Mor(ri)gan chuckles. /Maybe you can get her to come over to our side. If I missed anyone, no offense; my brain's still addled. /And SOMEONE find the Destroyer!/ He turns and sees the Mor(ri)gan still standing there, dark divinity still glowing from her eyes and a faint smile on her lips. He swallows. "Be ready to free the darkness for the triumph of light, scion of Phoenix, and beware the sundering of shadows," Mor(ri)gan warns, then morphs again, the darkness fading completely as Morgan stands there again as herself. "Whoa," she breaths. /Nice look. Those colors suit you _much_ better./ An unfamiliar, good natured voice that somehow doesn't _feel_ unfamiliar is heard on the link. /"Huh?"/ Morgan looks down. She's still in supers mode, but her outfit has changed. The cavalier boots are gone, and the gloves now cover long sleeves. But the most noticable difference is the colors - the greys have been replaced by greens. She stares at Roland, who near as she can tell is the 'source' of the 'voice.' Roland, however, looks just as confused as she does. /There. All better. Or at least spiritually all better. My work here is done./ The last was in a playfully serious tone. The 'voice' was indeed coming from 'inside' Roland. /Oh, sorry. The Lady didn't say anything, did she? When Mannanan was closing the Veil as She returned, She asked me to stay behind and, well, kinda keep an eye on you and help out./ Roland chuckles. /Heh. Looks like Sil's got company./ The chuckle turns into a frown. /Not that I don't appreciate your help, by the way, but you _could_ ask before moving in. It's a good thing you didn't touch my psyche; given the damage, something unpleasant could have happened before I knew what was going on./ He looks at the chaos of the battle. [nass. i've got to get less sensitive about that.] /Generally I would, but you were pretty out of it. And yeah, Sil and I are sort of, well, kindred spirits./ The grin in the 'voice' is apparent. /Oh, gods, not another one,/ Sil groans. /You know, you _might_ want to try _introducing_ yourself in between puns./ /M'lady, if I may?/ Morgan, still a little startled by all of this, nods. The 'source' of the voice shifts from Roland to her. /And the name is Mathghamhain./ The name is heard in full medieval Gaelic calligraphy, but sounds essentially like Ma'an /I am here to aid and abet, protect and defend, and all that other good stuff./ /How droll,/ Sil replies dryly enough to evaporate a lake. /And exactly how do you propose to do that? If torturous punsterism could defeat the villains, this lot would've cleansed the local multiverse by now./ /Well, it must have _some_ effect. How many supervillains do you find around Callahan's?/ Ma'an quips. Then his tone becomes more serious. /I am a guardian, much as you are. You are a shard of the Primal Phoenix, I of Mannanan, Son of the Sea and Morgan's patron deity. I am here to protect her in much the same manner you do him./ Sil 'nods.' /Mmm. Well, I'm more of a guide than a guardian, but he _does_ need looking out for. Your presence is appreciated, and welcome./ Then she smiles mischievously. /As for super-villains, Callahan doesn't have to worry too much. He just slips 'em a Mickey./ Morgan looks at Roland. ^Oh, no...^ she sends. ^You get used to it,^ Roland replies with a chuckle. Then he looks at the Maelstrom Bridge with growing concern as the Ravagons finally reach the bottom. "Success! Hail Irishantza!" the obvious leader cries as he touches down. Then he points a claw-tipped staff at Roland and Morgan. "The enemies of Sallsboratza! Kill them!" /He means the Gaunt Man,/ Roland sighs. /Here we go again,/ Ma'an says. /'Again?' You've been here for thirty seconds,/ Sil quips. /Details, details,/ Ma'an replies as Roland and Morgan await the charge... =========================== Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 23:43:20 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Day of the Destroyer On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 23:34:35 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005988 >On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 00:40:09 EDT >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00005986 > > Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005984 > >> The Adversary. The dread power that even the Starspawn fear. The >> Crawler is the avatar they dread. It had been hiding its link to >> the Crawler, but Legion's effort had revealed its deception, and >> now the Crawler gives up duplicity and tries to strengthen its >> link. >> Elsewhere, Malice sighs. [I'd hoped that they wouldn't figure >> that out for a bit longer...well, no use for it now. I'll just have >> to accelerate my plans...] >> >(OOC: Is that the Adversary of Earth 9, or the Great Adversary?) (OOC: Okay, for clarification: (Yep, it's an avatar of the Great Adversary. Malice is the 'Adversary' of Earth-9; he _was_ the Great Adversary briefly, but the Atlantean 'banishment' left a mere spirit-shard ala Sil [only on the opposite side of the spectrum, natch] within the dream-form of the Destroyer. This spirit took the name Malice and has been in the driver's seat of the 'Destroyer' ever since. Incredibly powerful by any standard below that of the Starspawn, it is no match for the true Primals/cosmics as it is. But it is easy for Aurora to see how Malice's present state could be used to unleash the spirit form of the GA for Oracle's purposes. This has been arranged. ) >*By all that's Holy. An Avatar of the (Great?) Adversary. Jadis, John ^^^^^^^^ -yep. >neither Malice nor, the Crawler must get the tower. If either does, >everything that lives will die, and what CAN'T die will exist in pain >for all eternity. Stop argueing over the tower, and help us stop >them. After this is over, if you must have a portal to all the >universes I will build it for you, so you can continue your pointless >war.* Aurora sends. /More good news,/ Roland quips, though even he feels a quiver of terror at the thought of some...THING...as alien, powerful and inimical to life as the Crawler with that kind of power. (Hey, the man _was_ a GL. ;^) /Though I don't know how good an idea letting them off the hook like that is, things just went from bad to nightmarish./ /Yes, we deal with the Zodaii _after_ we make sure there's a multiverse to deal with them _in,_/ Morgan agrees. =========================== Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 23:43:27 -0700 (PDT) Subject: RE: AAE IV: To Best Bester On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 23:35:25 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00005989 :On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 20:17:50 :Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005971 :>On Wed, 23 Sep 1998 00:25:57 -0500 :>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00005953 : : Sil doesn't look at _all_ happy with the situation, but to help :Roland she'd have to abandon James-who relies far more on finesse :than Blaze. James, now down to fighting a defensive pattern to keep Zia's spot clear as she engages Bester, notes her reaction. ^Sil? If you're needed, go. I can manage this bunch, even at reduced skill. Especially if I fall back and join Starbuck's defensive pattern. WHOA!/ He scrambles aside as the Crawler's tendril slaps down where he'd been standing. Then, admist squashed bodily ickiness of those who didn't have James' dangersense to warn them of the lashing monstrosity, he SMILES his cold and happy smile. Then Logrus tendrils form to his beckoning hands, Sil's energy being drawn down protectively and wrapped within James' outer layers of selfness to protect the orderly entity from the chaotic Symbol. "So, you'd like to tango, Beastie?" James' form is slowly and subtly shifting - it's still James, but sometimes it almost seems to be some man haloed in radiance that isn't really light, dressed in a Grecian toga. /Go ahead and cut it out of here, Legion. I'll take care of Mr. Grabby Tendrils for our side until you can finish./ His tone assumes her complete capability to actually DO that. Almost invisible tendrils, MUCH smaller than the Crawler's own, start making life (or at least grabbing life) difficult. Whenever the Horror gets hold of one of James' tendrils, he just lets that one 'go' and grabs for another. :>/Let's divvy some of them up, eh old man? Er. Woman. Comrade./ She :>struggles for a nueter general noun. And ignores James' jokes, just :>reviewing the damage on Roland. Zia runs through opponents, turning :>her tactical mind back to the conflict, er, King-of-the-Mountain :>stuggle, for the Tower. : : Roland's a mess. His body's taken a beating, but the damage to his :psychic paths is far worse. Fortunately, fighting the grunt soldiers :Malice brought with him doesn't seem to be straining what's left of :Blaze-apparently Malice _meant_ for these creatures to fall by the :dozen-and Morgan managed to get a few 'patches' in place. : At the moment, the 'conflict' seems to have degenerated to classic :superhero-style solo fights. Probably has something to do with this :reality... Zia idly considers whether weakening that tendency would help, or if she could possibly strengthen it to help the CAoL out a bit... but before anything particular can be accomplished... :>/Meanwhile, I believe James could use some help with Roland - he :>needs serious TLC. He really should retire from the conflict, but :>even _I_ know that is highly unlikely. Starbuck, stay with me, if :>you will. Bester has too much help for me to try this alone./ : : Starbuck blinks. "/How did-whatever, you got it Zia./" He spares :her a wink and starts providing cover fire both physical and mental :-he catches on quickly, it seems. James notes this, and takes his chance to help out on a broader scale. Zia has little time, but manages an, /That Lens suits you. And that's how this telepathy works, too. It augments that ability, in humans./ She goes after Bester. /We'll have to talk later, over another poker game../ :>The brunette disappears from her position, reappearing smack dab in :>front of Bester. Starbuck is with her, although he felt no movement :>at all. She looks Bester up and down. "Just what are you attempting :>to prove, sir? If you leave now without further hostility, I shall :>not attack. If not, I would ask if you've ever read a very early SF :>novel dealing with telepathy... it was called The Demolished Man." : : (OOC: ROFL! I haven't read the novel myself, but I _do_ know the :name of the author. Nice touch.) : Bester seems mildly amused. "Young lady, you are formidable-anyone :who can make the self-styled god Darkseid back away _must_ be. But I :was the best telepath in Psi-Corps _before_ my...enhancement." He :gestures at himself casually. Zia shrugs. "You were fair before, and likely a big pain in the neck now. Telepathy ain't all it's always cracked up to be, anyway." :>"I am a Taoist, and not given to killing. But a death of personality :>is not a death of life. You may have one chance to retain your Self. : : Bester frowns deeply. "No. That is a fate we reserve for those to :whom death would be too merciful a punishment." "Say, like, oh someone who tried to Wipe Out All Known Existence? At least, that's how it probably appears to your limited understanding..." Zia comments, unruffled. : Bester, however, doesn't seem to care. "I regret this necessity, :my dear-you are fascinating. : "Unfortunately, you are also an obstacle." : *Keep her mate busy,* he sends to his agents. *I will deal with :this one.* And he attempts to trap Zia's mind in a 'recursive loop' :of thought, much like telling a computer to calculate the value of Pi :to the last digit, but by sending the mind on several paradox-loops :instead of just one. She _allows_ him in, falling back in a judo-like movement mentally, and setting the Pheonix Force to hold on and drag him as deep as can be managed while she deals with his cute little attempt to drive her catatonic. She scans the various parts of her mentality as they spiral outward on the paths of the paradoxial questions/thoughts/loops, seeking a loose thread. With a suddenn tremendous lessening of pressure on her resources... one of Bester's vaunted paradoxes.... becomes solved. He can't understand HOW exactly she found a way to answer it. The mathematics involved were very far beyond what his mind can grasp. (ooSC: Think Pallanian - Zia isn't a three-dimensional being.) With a suddeness like an avalanche, she turns that bit of her mind towards helping the others. With an exponential increase in capacity, it's barely any time at all before she has recovered to her normal state again. She SMILES, her face suddenly QUITE like James' own expression... and pulls Bester as deep as she can, and raises the Pattern up around her, effectively 'cutting' what she could hold of his mind off from his body... And just maybe from his connection to the Tower as well. But Zia isn't content to hope for good news; not after how close he was to nailing her on the FIRST attack. She summons her most powerful psi - empathy. She reaches for all the moments of love he has had, all the good times he can recall, and tries to stimulate the pleasure center of his brain directly. She knows perfectly well there are VERY few humans who could resist that for any measurable length of time. =========================== Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1998 00:06:50 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE IV: Bladewar On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 23:50:50 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005990 >On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 02:23:54 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00005982 > >> On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 20:06:58 >> Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005972 > >appropriate weapon, but if Stormbringer is there I'd notice, the one >area of magic Stranger is good at is summoning unpleasant things, and >beggars can't be choosers. Or more specifically people facing down >anthropomorphic demon swords with power to steal souls can't be >choosers.> (OOC: Actually, Stormbringer was in the Dragonlance universe, hidden deep within a draconic stronghold. But it would want to come to you. As for the Runestaff, which I presume is also from Eternal Champion lore, hey, if that's what you want, that's what you get. Unfortunately, my knowledge of the Elric mythos comes from a pre-lawsuit copy of Deities and Demigods. I tried getting into the Swords Trilogy, and read 'Eternal Champion,' but I'm afraid I don't know much about the EC cycle, or the Runestaff, otherwise.) (If we switch to Stranger with the Runestaff) Mournblade stops in mid-advance. "Well. This is an unexpected turn of events. You fancy yourself a wizard, then, do you? Let us see, then, how you fare against the living weapon of Chaos!" The soul-eater raises its hands, and the entire cargo bay vanishes from Babylon-5, reappearing on the surface of the planet. "Demons-here! Shelter from the rain of death to those who battle the Eternal Champion!" A few take the offer, ducking into the strange structure the cargo bay has become without the rest of B-5 around it... (If we continue with Stormbringer) >> The blade in question appears at Stranger's side. >> "...away..." >> *Hello, dear brother,* Stormbringer sends darkly. *I believe I >> have YOU to thank for returning me to this form, do I not?* > >"Well now," added Stranger "I believe the balance of power has subtly >shifted" he grinned broadly as Stormbringer started to twist hungrily >in his hand. "I'll not argue that," Mournblade replies dryly. >/Guys, I Strongly Recommend you not get to near when I've got >Stormbringer, I'm not sure how much control I'm going to have/ > >With that he stepped towards mournblade and brought Stormbringer >screaming forward onto Mournblades own blade. Battle was joined and >Stranger, with Stormbringer in hand, fought with a ferocity seldom >seen. Ever. Anywhere. His initial assualt threw Mournblade back onto >the defensive, blows raining down, Strangers cris mixing with the >sickening screaming of the blade in his hand. Mournblade is driven back at first, startled by Stranger's sheer ferocity. But ferocity doesn't equal skill, and while Stranger is hideously good at what he does, between his rage and Stormbringer twisting in his hand, Mournblade is able to hold his/its own. "I will drink your soul, accursed one. "Later." Mournblade vanishes, teleporting back to E-3. (The GM, trying to get the group back together...) =========================== Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1998 03:37:20 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: To Best Bester On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 03:29:13 -0700 (PDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005991 >On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 19:20:14 -0400 (EDT) >Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005979 > >>On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 23:38:21 -0700 (PDT) >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005977 >> >>/Raver, I don't think you'll want to teleport in here right now,/ >>Mike said, returning to the battlefield, /It's raining holy water. >>Sorry about the wet, guys, but I figured the advantage of a large >>range of coverage might be worth it./ >> >>Mike looks around, /Think consecrating the ground is overdoing it?/ > >Jadis smiles. The droplets fall, and _most_ of the host seems >slightly nervous. Then the rain hits the barrier of superheated air >between it and the demons and evaporates. An ugly roar wells from >their throats, and they surge forward with renewed confidence. Mike smiles, her feet splashing in the rain soaked ground. [Clever, superheated air. The water evaporates, going back into the clouds to recondense and fall again. Fortunately, that isn't all there is to the water cycle. Like, for example, ground water.] The sands around the tower become moist under the demon's feet as a water table of, you guessed it - holy water, forms right under the surface of battlefield. quickly saturating the ground. Springs start bursting through the ground within the ranks of demons, quickly thinning them out as Mike wades, though not literally, into the ranks. Her sword changes forms into a blade made of that same holy water, which sprays around her as she swings it, and cuts just as well as any metal would. Her cuts and wounds spray holy water as well, though they heal quickly, similar to the Aliens' acid blood being a defense against whoever should wound one. =========================== Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1998 06:07:42 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Bladewar On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 13:32:25 -0700 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00005992 > On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 23:50:50 > Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005990 > >>On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 02:23:54 -0700 >>Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00005982 >> >>> On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 20:06:58 >>> Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005972 >>> >>> (OOC: If Stranger is doing what I _think_ he's doing...) >> >>>appropriate weapon, but if Stormbringer is there I'd notice, the one >>area of magic Stranger is good at is summoning unpleasant things, >>and beggars can't be choosers. Or more specifically people facing >>down anthropomorphic demon swords with power to steal souls can't be >>choosers.> > > (OOC: Actually, Stormbringer was in the Dragonlance universe, > hidden deep within a draconic stronghold. > But it would want to come to you. As for the Runestaff, which I > presume is also from Eternal Champion lore, hey, if that's what you > want, that's what you get. Unfortunately, my knowledge of the Elric > mythos comes from a pre-lawsuit copy of Deities and Demigods. I > tried getting into the Swords Trilogy, and read 'Eternal Champion,' > but I'm afraid I don't know much about the EC cycle, or the > Runestaff, otherwise.) > Mournblade is driven back at first, startled by Stranger's sheer > ferocity. But ferocity doesn't equal skill, and while Stranger is > hideously good at what he does, between his rage and Stormbringer > twisting in his hand, Mournblade is able to hold his/its own. > "I will drink your soul, accursed one. > "Later." > Mournblade vanishes, teleporting back to E-3. "Coward!" Stranger stared down at the blade. Realising that it was the most powerful weapon he'd ever wielded, bar none, and yet to wield it risked destroying the discipline he had fought so hard win. The Dark Side beckoned. Sweat trickled down his face and back, mingling with the light spray of blood he'd acquired fighting earlier. "Stormbringer, you gotta work with me." The sword moaned slightly. Stranger realised it was... hungry. /Can anybody provide me with transport to the surface. Preferably something that'll keep me away from anyone else, I appear to have acquired a demonic blade that drinks the souls of those it slays. It's hungry./ =========================== Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1998 07:38:17 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Day of the Destroyer On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 21:22:08 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00005993 > On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 19:32:07 -0400 (EDT) > Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005980 > >>On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 21:20:35 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005973 >> >> Galactus almost _smiles._ "I am impressed. Not concerned, mind >>you, but I _am_ impressed." Then space warps around John, with power >>closer to Eternity's than what Galactus' was, intended to send John >>away from the Tower no matter _which_ direction he >>walks/flies/whichever. Teleportation seems to be a BAD idea. > > John lips move in what might be a smile, but not on any human mouth. > Space is warped even more. Reality is bent at imaginary angles. > Anyone looking at Galactus sees a prism effect, with bits of him > scattered all over the prism. And the major upshot is that John > continues to advance on the Tower. His skin is beginning to smoke. > "I do not care about your feelings, just as I no longer care to heed > the limits of this body." Nemo notes the space warping effect. And decides to reply in kind. The topology of the space surrounding John becomes *very* odd. Multiply "connected" in many dimensions. It makes a Klein bottle look ordinary. And the effect is that any direction he moves leads back to where he started, often after getting rotated thru sundry extra dimensions. The dimensions that still link him to normal space/time will take a while to find. They are also "stretched" such that what would normally be a few meters or a few seconds around googols of parsecs and eons. So when he eventually sorts out the "right" coordinates, it'll still take a long time to get from where he is to where he wants to be. To outsiders, it looks like a fuzzy gray cloud. Anyone who blunders in won't be leaving it soon. =========================== Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1998 12:07:43 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Day of the Destroyer On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 15:03:24 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005994 >>On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 19:32:07 -0400 (EDT) >>Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005980 >> >>>On Thu, 24 Sep 1998 21:20:35 >>>Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00005973 >> >>John lips move in what might be a smile, but not on any human mouth. >>Space is warped even more. Reality is bent at imaginary angles. >>Anyone looking at Galactus sees a prism effect, with bits of him >>scattered all over the prism. And the major upshot is that John >>continues to advance on the Tower. His skin is beginning to smoke. >>"I do not care about your feelings, just as I no longer care to heed >>the limits of this body." > > Galactus frowns. "I was attempting to spare you, as an unwilling >pawn of the Zodaii, but you _cannot_ be allowed to reach the Tower. >COME TO ME, MY HERALD!" > A golden woman sheathed in fusion-flame rockets out of Galactus' >sphere. "It's about _time!_ You call, big guy?" Nova asks, landing in >front of John. > "Stop *{}* him." The prism 'shatters,' its pieces flying at John. >Galactus is no longer in that space. > "Hmmph. You must be one hot customer, to give _Galactus_ trouble >-but mister, SO AM I!" Nova creates a fusion wall in front of John, >its energy 'held' by her powers to prevent his manipulation of same. John studies the wall. "An energy wall." He shakes his head. OOC: Is it solid, or just kill level energy? that will determine the nature of my response. > Jha'Dur appears next to John, apparently unable to teleport past >Nova. "Counterfield," she suggests. John says, "I _am_ a counterfield. To use energy against me is akin to trying to trying to stop a nuclear explosion with a flamethrower." He walks up to the wall. > Meanwhile, Galactus appears in front of Jadis. "You have caused >enough trouble in this place," the one-time world-eater says >tonelessly, and channels the Tower's vast energies. "I only give you >this opportunity for the sake of Aurora's ally. Release him and >leave. Now." Jadis rolls his eyes at Galactus, "Wherever would you get the notion that _I_ am controlling _him_? He's doing this all on his lonesome, with some small help from me, of course. Or do you think of me and what's over there as the same being? If so, you ae sadly mistaken. You want the little human personality released, you have to go talk to the man over there who appears to have made short work of your herald." > If Jadis refuses, tells him off, or otherwise gives Galactus a >hard time, he proceeds to use his own vastly enhanced power along >with the Tower's energies to disperse Jadis' form and consciousness >across the multiverse. Your call here. =========================== Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1998 12:12:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: To Best Bester On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 15:08:29 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005995 >On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 00:19:10 EDT >Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00005985 > >A moment later, from space, Dragon's Bane fires (mere flickers) the >secondary weapons on the side of the ship facing the planet. Each >salvo hitting several hundred of the bugs with a few megawatts of >energy each (don't want to incinerate the whole area now do we) in >the space of a micro second. Then the weapons are re-targeted and >fired at the next bunch. This continues until there are no more bugs. > >At the same time, Aurora warps space, and the cloud of Holy water >suddenly vanishes from the sky, and appears around (and touching) the >Demons. Demonic screeches fill the air. A few of the weaker ones begin to shrivel. Jadis himself growls, "I don't have time for this." and sketches a symbol in the air which flies forth. When it touches the cloud there is a loud pop, and then the cloud is gone. =========================== Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1998 12:38:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Day of the Destroyer On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 15:15:02 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005996 >On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 00:40:09 EDT >Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00005986 > >*By all that's Holy. An Avatar of the (Great?) Adversary. Jadis, John >neither Malice nor, the Crawler must get the tower. If either does, >everything that lives will die, and what CAN'T die will exist in pain >for all eternity. Stop argueing over the tower, and help us stop >them. After this is over, if you must have a portal to all the >universes I will build it for you, so you can continue your pointless >war.* Aurora sends. Jadis eyes her with disbelief, *And what would be the time frame on the building of this portal? If you could build it for us now say.. a dimension over, we would return with our full power and jointly help you against the Crawler. We would arrange the local timestream such that this process would not take more than five minutes for us, and almost nothing for you.* =========================== Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1998 12:38:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: To Best Bester On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 15:19:26 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005997 >On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 03:29:13 -0700 (PDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00005991 > >>On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 19:20:14 -0400 (EDT) >>Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005979 >> >>Jadis smiles. The droplets fall, and _most_ of the host seems >>slightly nervous. Then the rain hits the barrier of superheated air >>between it and the demons and evaporates. An ugly roar wells from >>their throats, and they surge forward with renewed confidence. > >Mike smiles, her feet splashing in the rain soaked ground. [Clever, >superheated air. The water evaporates, going back into the clouds to >recondense and fall again. Fortunately, that isn't all there is to >the water cycle. Like, for example, ground water.] > >The sands around the tower become moist under the demon's feet as a >water table of, you guessed it - holy water, forms right under the >surface of battlefield. quickly saturating the ground. Springs start >bursting through the ground within the ranks of demons, quickly >thinning them out as Mike wades, though not literally, into the >ranks. The demons take to the air. Just about 2-3 feet off ground level. >Her sword changes forms into a blade made of that same holy water, >which sprays around her as she swings it, and cuts just as well as >any metal would. Her cuts and wounds spray holy water as well, though >they heal quickly, similar to the Aliens' acid blood being a defense >against whoever should wound one. Mike does note that every time a demon 'dies', the others become less fatigued. =========================== Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1998 12:43:40 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE IV: Day of the Destroyer On Sat, 26 Sep 1998 15:39:37 -0400 (EDT) Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005998 >On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 21:22:08 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00005993 > >> On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 19:32:07 -0400 (EDT) >> Shadow Said As CAoL Message # 00005980 >> >> John lips move in what might be a smile, but not on any human >> mouth. Space is warped even more. Reality is bent at imaginary >> angles. Anyone looking at Galactus sees a prism effect, with bits >> of him scattered all over the prism. And the major upshot is that >> John continues to advance on the Tower. His skin is beginning to >> smoke. "I do not care about your feelings, just as I no longer care >> to heed the limits of this body." > >Nemo notes the space warping effect. And decides to reply in kind. > >The topology of the space surrounding John becomes *very* odd. >Multiply "connected" in many dimensions. It makes a Klein bottle look >ordinary. And the effect is that any direction he moves leads back to >where he started, often after getting rotated thru sundry extra >dimensions. The dimensions that still link him to normal space/time >will take a while to find. They are also "stretched" such that what >would normally be a few meters or a few seconds around googols of >parsecs and eons. So when he eventually sorts out the "right" >coordinates, it'll still take a long time to get from where he is to >where he wants to be. John looks around for a long moment, then he moves.. inward. Since the space surrounding him is not currently a viable option, he pulls himself within himself. The is a brief flash of what looks like an inside out John, and then he is gone. And in another universe a man screams as someone else emerges from his flesh. John stands, looks at the mewling person on the floor, and says, "Sorry about that. I'd make amends, but I must be heading back. Now to just correct my aim." >To outsiders, it looks like a fuzzy gray cloud. Anyone who blunders >in won't be leaving it soon. > > *correct* paths cover unimaginable times and distances.> John moves back to Epsilon 3, this time choosing to reappear 2 ft from Z'On'Dar. ===========================